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all natural, DIY, fluoride, homemade, recipe, teeth whitener, toothpaste, white teeth
Rethinking Oral Health Care: A Homemade Toothpaste Recipe for Tooth Remineralization by COURTNEY on APRIL 10, 12
Several years ago, I started to question some of the ingredients in commercial toothpastes as well as the approach of modern dentistry in general. I view some modern dentistry practices as appropriate and beneficial. Yet, the foundation of today’s dental philosophy is similar to the mainstream medical model in that it focuses on treatment and not prevention.
I believe the focus of dentistry (like medicine) should be prevention of decay and disease through sound nutrition and a healthy lifestyle.
This begins in utero (even pre-conception), when the teeth and jaw structure are formed, is well established through breastfeeding, and must be adhered to for one’s lifetime. Avoiding dental decay and disease through diet is challenging, as it means one must stray far from the standard American diet.
Remineralization
When most dentists detect a cavity, they suggest filling it, usually without thinking twice.However, what if teeth could be remineralized through a proper diet and oral hygiene routine? I believe they can.
Once drilled and filled, teeth are weakened and susceptible to further decay, but I believe that if we focus on prevention, we can avoid most cavities and subsequent oral health decline as a result of filling cavities.
Most of my teeth were drilled and filled in childhood and young adulthood, but I don’t want my children to go down the same path and struggle with susceptibility to decay for a lifetime because of it. I’m trying to learn more about prevention and remineralization so that my children can reap the benefits of a healthy mouth, which contributes to overall health.
IMAGE BY MAKELESSNOISE
There are several factors involved in tooth remineralization, mainly diet, Ph of saliva, and oral hygiene practices.
Diet and saliva are inter-related and quite complex, I encourage you to dig deeply into the link between nutrition and oral health and possibly re-examine your own assumptions there. I hope you will take a closer look at your own oral hygiene routine as well, as what I’m sharing with you today is based solely on my research and conclusions as a mom. I am not a dentist!
Toothpaste cleans teeth and remove plaque, which is beneficial, but if your goal is to maintain healthy teeth through a proper diet, mainstream toothpastes will work against your efforts. Furthermore, they contain questionable ingredients that may do more harm than good.
Glycerin – Certainly not bad in and of itself if properly sourced, but its use in toothpaste may not be ideal. Some suggest it may leave a layer of film on the teeth that prevents remineralization. It can also be dangerous to our health if processed with dangerous chemicals, and I assume most toothpastes contain the cheapest possible source.
Sodium Laurel Sulfate – SLS is a known carcinogen. Some natural companies still stand behind it’s use and claim it is safe, but I prefer to stay on the safe side here.
Saccharin – This was the first ingredient I questioned when I started to re-think my approach to dental health and toothpaste several years ago. I avoid artificial sweeteners like the plague, as most of them are proven carcinogens, several contribute to obesity and other health problems, and some are excitotoxins, meaning they cause rapid firing and death of brain cells. And yet, we see the artificial sweetener, saccharin, in our toothpaste.
Fluoride – You knew I’d get to this one. I don’t claim to be an expert on fluoride, but from my basic understanding, fluoride is highly toxic in the form found in toothpaste and never found in nature in this state. If you’re trying to rebuild tooth enamel, just like with glycerin, a “protective” layer of fluoride is not ideal. It is also suggested that the layer it forms on teeth is much thinner than originally thought and is useless against protecting teeth from decay anyway.
A Safer Alternative
If you’re looking for a safe alternative to the common toothpastes, there are many options, from the more expensive natural toothpastes (be careful– some contain some of these questionable ingredients) to simple recipes you can make at home.
I’ve been experimenting with my own homemade toothpaste recipe for a while now, after I realized how easy it is to make on my own and that I don’t need to spend a fortune on store-bought brands.
The most basic toothpaste alternative is a simple tooth powder. You can use baking soda alone or combine it with salt for a gentle yet abrasive clean, or you can use a mineral powder such as calcium and/or magnesium. I use Natural Calm brand. Some prefer to add hydrogen peroxide to their tooth powder right before use. I rinse with hydrogen peroxide, so I don’t add it to my powder or paste.
I began to add coconut oil to my recipe to form a paste (and for its beneficial antibacterial properties) and essential oils for flavor. For a while, my recipe included coconut oil, baking soda, a dash of salt, and essential oil.
I also recently added trace mineral drops to my paste. I use these to add minerals back into our reverse osmosis filtered water when making water kefir and I thought it would be a great addition to our toothpaste as well.
Homemade Toothpaste
- 2 Tbsp. coconut oil
- 2 Tbps. baking soda (aluminum free)
- 2 Tbsp. calcium magnesium powder (optional)
- 2 Tbps. green stevia powder (optional)
- 2 tsp. Himalayan sea salt (optional)
- 5 -10 drops essential oil (I use peppermint) or several drops ouzo, sambuca, and such.
- 5 – 10 drops trace minerals (Colloidal Silver)
* ByzantineFlowers Note: My personal way of doing this is: equal parts coconut oil, baking soda, few drops of Colloidal Silver, for flavor add essential oil or several drops ouzo, sambuca, or such.
This toothpaste is a great follow up to oil pulling.
Have you looked into oil pulling? Both oil pulling and a natural toothpaste like this one, in addition to flossing, can keep your teeth clean and healthy. With a proper diet that supports the necessary minerals for re-mineralization of teeth, I believe teeth can be healthier and whiter.
From what I understand, yellow teeth can be the result of reduced/demineralized enamel that allows the dentin beneath to show through. By strengthening that enamel through re-mineralization, teeth are not only healthier and free of cavities but also naturally whiter.
Stephanie’s note: For more on the importance of diet for both preventing and reversing tooth decay, and the process of remineralizing teeth, I would highly recommend the book Cure Tooth Decay by Ramiel Nagel. I’m currently reading it and even though I had learned some of these things previously (through Weston Price, etc.) I wish that I had looked more specifically into this topic long ago!
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The secrets to perfect teeth
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leroywatson4 said:
Reblogged this on The Beach House Kitchen and commented:
This is a great article about alternative toothpaste. If you read the back of your toothpaste tube, you’ll see the health warnings. Commercial toothpaste is full of poison! This can be dangerous for children and is surely not good for us whe used daily throughout our lives. This post offers an easy solution.
Thanks to ByzantineFlowers (https://ybertaud9.wordpress.com) for a excellent post and blog.
arealfoodlover said:
I love making my own toothpaste. I used ‘regular’ toothpaste at a hotel recently and it was WAY too sweet. I just published a post on teeth remineralization too. Great minds think alike 🙂
ybertaud9 said:
arealfoodlover, please link your post on remineralization onto this, your post would compliment one another. Be well 😉
cindyricksgers said:
Great information!
Veggiewitch said:
Awesome! Exactly what I’ve been looking for. ♥
vijay said:
Dentists also recommend home whitening for the hygienic benefits that come from whitening your teeth. Polishing and scrubbing your teeth daily with the whitening applicator helps to break up plaque and can ultimately lead to healthier teeth along with a brighter smile!
More details visit
http://mhlnk.com/9A1B1225
Jacinda said:
I am looking forward to trying out this toothpaste recipe. I just have one question, how long does this toothpaste keep for? Thanks, great blog!
ybertaud9 said:
I use this all the time and it last depending how many people are in your family & usage; 2 pp 2 weeks average. Be sure to use a small spoon to put the toothpaste onto your brush to prevent any bacteria. Never had a problem and I come to the taste… you can actually add any natural flavor if you like. Be well 😉
vicky said:
Honestly I don’t believe glycerin is all that bad it is created when you make soap. So technically it should be completely safe, the problem I think arises when you are extracting an element. How do they remove the glycerin. That would be my concern.
not2bforgot10 said:
What are “trace minerals,” how much do I need to purchase, and where can I buy them?
ybertaud9 said:
I personally do not add trace minerals… just keep it simple, use a small jar enough for yourself, more if their are others. I use non aluminum baking soda, raw coconut oil, you may add a 100% pure oil extract of mint, peppermint, fennel, lavender, etc. That’s it! I get my vitamins & trace minerals from other sources in my foods. 😉
not2bforgot10 said:
Also, wow, I just read… it’s only good for 2 weeks? So for just myself, 1 month? A tube of toothpaste lasts longer! I am confused, because the picture looks like there is a lot! …like, MORE than my toothpaste, so how can it only last 4 weeks?
mlibow3 said:
If you’re worried about it put it in the fridge. This is GREAT! I can’t use fluoride, because it caused me to have hypothyroid. I use Tom’s fluoride-free toothpaste, but if I can make my own…all the better. Thanks!
Marla M said:
I would be careful of Xylitol use… I don’t know how it affects humans, but I heard a news program say that it is so poisonous to dogs, if a chihuahua-sized dog were to eat only HALF a stick of Xylitol gum it would kill the dog! Personally, I would stay away from it altogether!
ybertaud9 said:
Marla, please provide a link that supports your statement… pure xylitol is 100% Birch bark sugar… No birch trees are ever cut down for the extraction of the Xylis (the chemical name for the sweetener in the birch bark). It’s safe! First, it has only HALF the calories of sugar! Second, it is the ONLY natural sweetener that does NOT promote tooth decay and gum disease which is why it is used in premium toothpaste and mouthwash. Third, in spite of the fact that it is a pure carbohydrate, it is metabolized very slowly. This helps prevent sugar “highs” and “lows” experienced by people who have diabetes, hypoglycemia, chronic fatigue syndrome, candida (yeast infection) or any condition caused by sugar imbalance. THE ULTIMATE SWEETENER® is totally free of sugar, honey, corn syrup, fructose, bone ash, anything artificial, or animal products of any kind. I recommend this to my patients who have diabetes as an alternative natural sweetener. The only brand I use & recommend is The Ultimate Sweetener ~ http://theultimatelife.net/CatSweet.htm
Sue Worth said:
http://www.crunchybetty.com/xylitol-should-we-stop-calling-it-natural
ybertaud9 said:
Well, to be on the safe side after reading that article… I had removed xylitol from the ingredients. It’s crazy how you have to always be one step above on claims to “ALL Natural”. Thanks Sue 😉
Melissa Gunther said:
So do you make small individual sized jars for each member of the family? Do you just dip the brush in each jar? Are there any other storage methods?
ybertaud9 said:
I use a small espresso spoon and small jar for 4pp. I also have a small tea tray to set my spoon on once it’s clean. 😉
Jaime Álvaro Burbano Cuellar, Director said:
Hi,
I am unable to find the trace minerals here in Medellin, Colombia, where I live.
Does anyone know the correct name in Spanish for trace minerals?
Is there something else I can subsitute for the 10 drops of trace minerals?
Thanks
Jaime Álvaro Burbano Cuellar, Director
AgroSurAmerica, SA
Medellin, Colombia S.A.
USA#: 630-701-6725
SKYPE: agrosuramerica
agrosuramericaSA@gmail.com
ybertaud9 said:
Try Colloidal Minerals instead… you can make your own! https://ybertaud9.wordpress.com/2012/05/07/diy-colloidal-silver-health-benefits/ 😉
Jaime said:
Too much going on to make my own. I can use Colloidal Minerals or is there anything else that I can use.
Thanks, Jaime
ybertaud9 said:
Jaime, just purchase Colloidal Silver and add a few drops to your homemade toothpaste. Be well 🙂
Christina Baer said:
I do believe I shall be doing this in the near future! Great article! I have an interesting article on R.O. water I’d love for you to look at if you are interested! rescuedfromthedeep@yahoo.com
Lauren said:
I urge you to do some more research before deciding to cut out flouride from your children’s toothpaste. I am a pediatric dental hygienist and have been working in this field for 6+ years. Yes, too much flouride can lead to fluorosis, but this occurs when fluoride is ingested, not applied topically. Brushing fluoride on your teeth does strengthen the enamel, something very harmful however is using baking soda daily which weakens the enamel.
Fluorosis is coming from: uninformed health associations ( like the one in Ireland ) who put too much fluoride in their public water, and prescribing fluoride ( the tablets everyone used to get when younger ).
The flouride placed on teeth cannot cause fluorosis unless you are swallowing tablespoons of it.
As always, the best way to prevent cavities is to brush and FLOSS, but flouride is definitely an aid.
ybertaud9 said:
Dear Lauren, There are many holistic dentist that are against the use of fluoride in toothpaste & the use of mercury fillings! I think it’s you that needs to further your research on Fluoride… check out hundreds of articles alone on NaturalNews.com or this link https://ybertaud9.wordpress.com/2012/08/14/violation-of-consent-fluoridation-and-forced-medication/ Be well
Peggy said:
I applaud your efforts but please consider looking into the manufacturing process of Xylitol. I was a big fan of Xylitol and recently took that extra step to research and found some things I didn’t like and the possible harmful effects to the kidneys. I currently have a brand new bag in the cupboard that I will not be opening.
ybertaud9 said:
Peggy, Your right on the speculation on Xylitol, but had found only one source that may be trust worthy. Most of their line of products are reputable as well… http://theultimatelife.net/CatSweet.htm
Jacob Hoelscher said:
Great information! Exactly what I’ve been looking for. I am looking forward to trying out this toothpaste recipe.gr8 blog. Thank you ♥
steelix32 said:
So since all the ingredients are natural and it has no fluoride, is is ok to swallow your recipe of toothpaste to get more benefit from the ingredients?
ybertaud9 said:
😀 I do every once in a while… and I feel fine. 😉
steelix32 said:
Good, cuz if I swallow “normal” toothpaste, I get a headache and my stomach feels like it’s going to explode. It’s the same feeling that I get from drinking a soda after not drinking soda for a month…
sunnyromy said:
Reblogged this on SunnyRomy.
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